Have scientists found the motivation molecule?

Are there any foods that can boost your motivation levels? Seems so.

Today's Ingredients Hello and welcome to The Nutrition Edition, our new food and fitness focused newsletter! Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, we'll deliver nutrition news and advice to your inbox, along with delicious recipes, videos, stories, and mythbusting research. We'd love to hear from you, so tell us what's good, what's bad, and what else you'd like to see. But first, let's get into today's Edition. Most of us could benefit from a reliable way to stop our motivation from flagging. And new research suggests that there might be a way to do that — with your diet! More on this tantalizing possibility below. But before we get into that, here's a sneak peek at what we're covering:   • Food and motivation: What's the link?   • Is fasting better than carb-loading?   • What is the healthiest water to drink?   • Why is everyone going mad for monk fruit? Happy eating, Tim Snaith Newsletter Editor, Healthline   Written by Tim Snaith June 1, 2023 • 4 min read Main Course Is this the motivation molecule? Motivation comes and goes. One day you're full of get-up-and-go and everything's easy, and the next it's all about sit-down-and-no because you simply do not have the energy. If only there were some way to stay keen? Well, building on an earlier, small pilot study in humans, a recent investigation of motivation in rats suggests that glutathione (GSH), a common antioxidant found in the brain, could hold the key to increasing motivation levels. Researchers found that higher levels of GSH may be linked to more consistent and better performance on tasks that required effort in both humans and rats. Rats fed a substance that boosted their GSH levels improved their performance even more. Researchers are still figuring out all the factors that influence motivation, but according to the new study's author, Professor Carmen Sandi, "nutrition [...] is a good way to improve the fitness of brain circuits regulating persistence in our motivated behavior." It's important to note that the study didn't look at the effects of eating individual foods. But if you're looking to add more glutathione-rich foods to your diet, you might try:   • meat   • eggs   • grains   • dairy   • whey protein There are many reasons motivation ebbs and flows — age, occupation, and sleep quality, to name a few — and many ways to fix that, but maybe, just maybe this antioxidant can help support your motivation at a molecular level. Tell us: What gets you up in the morning or gives you motivation throughout the day? Do you eat plenty of glutathione-rich foods? Share your experience with us at nutritionedition@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!) Kitchen Kit What we're using Hydration AND motivation: the greatest fitness crossover of all time! Sometimes, all you need to get motivated is a little encouragement — and that's exactly what these Venture Pal water bottles deliver, in gulp-sized portions. You get an inspirational message at 2-hour intervals to guide your water intake throughout the day. With a generous 64-ounce capacity, they come in a range of funky color combos and have a carry handle and a convenient flip-top lid. Keep chugging!   Venture Pal Fidus 64oz Motivational Water Bottle 4.6  |  10,827 ratings Details: 64 oz. capacity, BPA free Shop now Fitness Fuel Athletes thrive on low carb diets too Not so fast with the pasta, folks! A recent study shows that carb-loading — wolfing down carb-rich foods before exercise — might not be necessary for reaching peak performance after all. The researchers compared high carb/low fat and low carb/high fat diets in a small group of middle-aged recreational athletes. It took around a month of eating low carb for the benefits to kick in, but after that, they found no significant differences in the two groups' 1-mile race times or sprinting performance. However, there was a twist: Participants who stuck to a high carb diet had larger blood sugar swings, and some even showed levels consistent with prediabetes. Yikes! But don't panic! This was a very small study of only 10 people, with pretty extreme differences between the high and low carb diets. Carb-loading isn't necessarily going to lead to prediabetes. Plus, more research is needed on the role of carbs in exercise performance and the long-term effects. Here's the takeaway: You probably can still reach peak performance without loading up on carbs. And in the long term, your body might thank you for it. Wondering how to apply this in your life? Some quality low carb foods to eat before a workout include high protein snacks such as egg, yogurt, and peanut butter. Or you can try skipping the snacks to see how a fasted workout works for you. the takeout What we're digesting 🥔 Why everyone's going mad for monk fruit. There's a buzz about this small green melon among health-conscious foodies and sugar-free devotees. What's so great about it? 🚰 What is the healthiest type of water? We look at the different types of drinking water, what to consider in terms of water quality and safety, and the best types of water to drink. ♻️ 6 signs and symptoms of autophagy. You can kick-start your body's natural repair process through fasting or calorie restriction. But how can you tell it's happening? 💩 Can you actually eat too much fiber? Many people don't get enough fiber through their diet, but it is possible to get too much, especially if you up your intake too quickly. Thanks for reading! I hope this newsletter gave you some ideas on how to reach your nutrition goals without getting swamped along the way. Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!   This edition was powered by a steaming bowl of tagliatelle.

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